Customs Corner
Customs Intercepts Goods Worth N7.8bn, Vows to Intensify Border Patrols
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit. Zone “A” on Wednesday said it intercepted smuggled goods worth N7.813 billion in 2021 and has vowed to intensify anti-smuggling activities around the borders.
The Acting Customs Comptroller in charge of the Unit, DC Hussein Ejibunu disclosed this in a Media Parley held in Lagos State.
Speaking on the Unit’s operation in 2021, Ejibunu disclosed that, the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures made stands at Seven billion, eight hundred and thirteen million, two hundred and fifty-seven thousand, one hundred and twelve naira only (N7,813,257,112) and that the Unit generated revenue to the tune of Six hundred and seventeen million, nine hundred and nineteen thousand and ninety-five naira, twenty-five kobo only (N 617,919,095.25k).
He said; “Regarding anti-smuggling activities, our focus will be the border areas as we are going to dissipate a lot of energies to intensify patrols and ensure unCustoms goods do not find their way into the country. We are not unaware of the fact that election year is just around the corner. It is a period during which illicit importation takes place and certainly, that will not happen”
He said the Unit made 116 arrests during the period under review. Among which 18 were arraigned, 69 were released on Administrative Bail, 1 was handed over to NDLEA, and 23 are presently in custody.
According to him, “The preceding year was eventful indeed going by the quantity and quality of seizures recorded by the Unit, the total revenue generated, the number of notorious smugglers arrested and the number of Commendation Letters received from Headquarters, the unprecedented provision of 16 operational vehicles as well as 5 Gun Trucks by Headquarters to the Unit to boost anti-smuggling activities within the Zone.
The epileptic power supply hitherto suffered by the Unit in the office environment was equally addressed by the Comptroller-General of Customs – Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management with the purchase and installation of 250KVA generating set. On a sad note, we lost 4 gallant Officers during operations in the preceding year”. He further revealed
Ejibunu said some of the notable Seizures by the Unit from 1st January, 2021 to 31st December, 2021 include: Cartridges – 751 pieces, Foreign parboiled rice – 82,171 bags (135 trailer loads of rice), Premium motor spirit – 12,781 kegs at 25 litres each, and Frozen poultry products – 12,394 cartons.
Others are: Used fridges – 309 units, Used compressors – 896 pieces, Vegetable oil – 3,553 kegs, Used tyres – 3,177 pieces, Tomato paste – 239 pieces; 568 cartons, Indian hemp – 733 sacks; 3,522.1kg, Unprocessed wood – 16 containers, Carbide – 43 drums, Unapproved drugs – 3,671 cartons, Foreign soap – 319 cartons, Used motorcycles – 149 units … and many more.
The Ejibunu warned economic saboteurs and daredevil smugglers in
the Zone to stay clear or be served their waterloos.
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Customs Corner
Customs Lilypond Command Facilitates 5,891 Containers of Export Commodities Valued at $236M
By Lucy Nyambi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Lilypond Export Command, has processed 5,891 (20ft and 40ft) containers of export commodities valued at $236,087,888.53 in the 1st quarter of 2024.
Announcing the Command’s outstanding performance to Newsmen on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya revealed that the commodities comprise Agricultural produce, manufactured goods, solid and extractive minerals, among others.
Comparing activities with the corresponding period in 2023, Comptroller Odusanya noted that analysis revealed a substantial growth trajectory in Q1 2024.
According to him, “total containers processed in 2024 Q1 surged by 44% to reach 5,891(20ft and 40ft) containers as against 3,784 (20ft and 40ft) containers processed in 2023 Q1, signifying heightened trade activity at the Command.
“Export commodities’ value also surged by 42% to USD$236,087,888.00 as against $154,459,566.39 recorded in 2023 QI, underlining the sustained momentum in export performance.”
The Area Controller stated that the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) also witnessed an impressive 114% increase, “reaching N1,389,331,520.15 from N378,268,430.57 received in 2023 Q1, indicative of enhanced revenue generation and compliance.
“Surcharge payment for plants & machinery, and imported goods doubled from NGN 8,785,188.00 in 2023 Q1 to NGN 18,218,964.00 in 2024 Q1, representing a 70% difference, aligning with fiscal policy directives.”
Comptroller Odusanya emphasised the importance of increased export trade activities in firming up the Naira value.
He attributed the surge in export trade activities to President Bola Tinubu’s vision to encourage export, stating that, “the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has been on top of that sensitisation, and the little we can do at our end in customs, is to support them.”
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to fostering consolidation, collaboration and innovation to ensure seamless trade facilitation.
“Export business is our business here. We facilitate the trade of export and give maximum corporation to those people that are ready to do legitimate export trade,” he stressed.
Customs Corner
Federal Government Launches National Single Window Steering Committee to Enhance Trade Efficiency
Author: Folusho Adeogun.
In a bid to enhance trade facilitation and efficiency within the nation’s import and export value chain, the Federal Government has inaugurated the National Single Window Steering Committee, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) serving as a key member.
The launch took place at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday, with President Bola Tinubu presiding over the inauguration.
The Committee is composed of representatives from key federal ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Marine and Blue Economy, Transportation, Trade and Investment, as well as the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Other agencies involved are the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organization of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The Nigerian Customs Service is playing a crucial role in the effort, given its direct involvement in trade facilitation and border security.
The newly established committee will oversee the implementation of the National Single Window project, a real-time digital trade compliance system aimed at modernising and streamlining trade processes.
The project is expected to facilitate paperless trade and provide an annual economic benefit of around $2.7 billion, contributing to national revenue and improving port efficiency.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of the initiative. He said, “Nigeria cannot afford to lose an estimated $4 billion annually due to bureaucratic delays, red tape, and corruption at the nation’s ports. By embracing the single window system, Nigeria hopes to join countries like Singapore, Korea, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia that have already experienced significant improvements in trade efficiency,” he stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service supports the initiative as it aligns with the service’s goal of enhancing trade facilitation and national security.
NCS’s involvement will ensure the successful implementation of the project, helping to expedite cargo movement and optimise inter-African trade.
The initiative is seen as a bold statement of the government’s commitment to progress, prosperity, and the well-being of all Nigerians. It represents a significant step towards regional integration and collaboration, ultimately contributing to a better future for the country.
Customs Corner
Nigeria Customs Service Bolsters Collaboration with Benin Republic Counterpart
By Ruth Akata
In an effort to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its counterpart in the Republic of Benin, a high-powered delegation led by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, embarked on a crucial mission to meet with the Director-General of the Customs Administration of Benin Republic on Thursday, 11 April, 2024.
The primary focus of the meeting, as outlined by the CGC, was to deliberate on strategies aimed at amplifying trade activities between the two nations and ensuring the seamless implementation of recommendations previously discussed during their rendezvous in Cotonou.
Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, the CGC underscored, “We are cognizant of the established framework for cooperation between our respective customs administrations. This framework was established at a higher level by the authorities of the heads of State, President Patrice Talon of Benin and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, both expressing a desire to work together. It is upon this foundation that the customs of both countries are united in their efforts.”
Welcoming the delegation with open arms, Mrs Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, the Director-General of Benin Customs Administration, reiterated their steadfast commitment to executing the mutually agreed-upon measures, emphasising the importance of thorough monitoring to ensure effective implementation.
The collaborative endeavours between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Benin Republic Customs Administration, according to her, serve as a testament to their shared commitment to facilitating seamless trade operations and ensuring the efficient management of cross-border activities for the mutual benefit of both nations.
In the meantime, during the visit, the CGC seized the opportunity to inspect ongoing projects within the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command. Accompanied by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the CGC meticulously assessed the progress of the projects and received assurances of diligent oversight from the responsible authorities.
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